January 25 – April 21, 2014

The three photographers, belonging to three generations of the twentieth century, are not only united by their insistent observation of the variety of human existence. Furthermore, Florence Henri (1893 in New York - 1982 in Compiègne, France), Lisette Model (1901 in Vienna - 1983 in New York) and Diane Arbus (1923 in New York - 1971 in New York) are also biographically connected. In spite of varying residences and partly large spatial differences in Germany, France and the USA there were encounters with leading impact on their artistic development. In 1937 Henri teaches Model and inspires her especially in finding her photographical compositions. Then again, at the end of the 1950s, Model is able to count Diane Arbus among her students, whose relation can be seen in the selection of models. Besides an individual approach to photography, the free use of portrait photography is another common point of the three artists. In their works they gather famous contemporary notables next to vacationing citizens at the Riviera, beggars and homeless people from the Lower East Side next to jazz singers and burlesque comedians, nudists and New Yorker pedestrians. The exhibition shows a selection of about 50 photographs.

Accompanying to the exhibition the Institute of Art History at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum offers a reading course and a practice in front of originals to the topic “Fotografinnen” in winter term 2013/2014. Under the direction of Jun.-Prof. Dr. Annette Urban students will be involved in conception, installation and process of the exhibition and in the context of the university lecture they will develop a publication, which will function as an exhibition guide for visitors.

A booklet accompanies the exhibition (approx. 80 pages) and is available at the Kubus of Situation Kunst.

Lenders: Museum Folkwang, Essen; Galerie Johannes Faber, Vienna; Private Collection, Bochum; The Photographic Collection/SK Stiftung Kultur, Cologne; Ludwig Museum, Cologne